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In case you missed it: The First Presidency holds the 2024 Christmas devotional, Elder Kearon dedicates Tallahassee temple, plus 7 more stories

Here are 9 stories from the Church News the week of Dec. 8-14

During the week of Dec. 8-14, the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional was on Sunday, Dec. 8. Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Tallahassee Florida Temple also on Dec. 8. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared about ministering in the Asia and Asia North areas of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Clark G. Gilbert, General Authority Seventy and Church commissioner of education, talked with guest host Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corp. and a former member of the Relief Society general presidency, in the newest episode of the Church News podcast.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at a Dec. 10 Provo Missionary Training Center devotional. Sister J. Anette Dennis first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, spoke at a devotional at Brigham Young University on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

In several areas of the Church, area presidency members are sharing Christmas and Light the World videos and messages, including in the Central America, Mexico and Pacific areas.

In temple news, the Church News reported on the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple groundbreaking; a groundbreaking date was set for the Cali Colombia Temple; and an exterior rendering was released for the Tacloban City Philippines Temple.

And a Christmas concert at the Provo MTC showcased Church music as part of worship.

Read summaries and find links to these articles below.

1. First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional 2024: Read talk summaries, see photos

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints waves while standing with his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency and president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, during the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomed the Christmas season with the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional on Sunday, Dec. 8. Messages were given by President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency; Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy; and Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency; and music was provided by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

Read talk summaries from the devotional here.
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2. ‘We can be found here’: Elder Kearon dedicates Tallahassee Florida Temple

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon, greet attendees after the Tallahassee Florida Temple dedication in Tallahassee, Florida, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The Tallahassee Florida Temple was dedicated on Sunday, Dec. 8 by Elder Kearon as the 202nd operating temple, and the third in the state of Florida.

“Our Savior can be found everywhere in the temple. In every ordinance, in every covenant, in every promised blessing and particularly in the power and grace we receive as we shed the practices and priorities of the world in favor of pursuing our relationship with Jesus Christ,” testified Elder Kearon.

Read more about this story here.
Read the dedicatory prayer here.
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3. ‘Treasures’ in Elder Uchtdorf’s ministry in Asia, Asia North areas

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf join Sister Louise Horgan in greeting children at the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, center, join Sister Louise Horgan, lower left, in greeting children at the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok on Nov. 22, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Uchtdorf met with local leaders, members, missionaries and friends during his two-week ministry in Seoul, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

The Asian countries “are filled with treasures — with spiritual, emotional and personal treasures of the soul,” said Elder Uchtdorf, explaining the Lord gives His Saints these treasures as they strive to keep His commandments.

Read more about this story here.
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4. Episode 218: Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Clark G. Gilbert on thriving in and through the Church Educational System, with guest host Sheri Dew

Elder D. Todd Christofferson joins the Church News podcast on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, to talk about the Church Educational System.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson joins the Church News podcast on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, to talk about the Church Educational System. | Screenshot from YouTube

Elder Christofferson and Elder Gilbert discussed the Church Educational System and the Church’s ongoing commitment to both spiritual and educational growth among the rising generation. Also, in a Church News video, Elder Christofferson challenges narrative and says Spirit working in youth.

Listen to the podcast and see the transcript.
Watch the video “Flocking to the Church."
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5. Elder Andersen highlights the gift of teaching and testimony

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, wave to the missionaries following the devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, wave to the missionaries following the devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. | Adam Fondren, for the Deseret News

Elder Andersen, accompanied by his wife Sister Kathy Andersen, taught missionaries worldwide about “a gift that you give to the Savior and a gift that He gives to you — the gift of teaching and testimony.”

“We rejoice together that our calling gives us the privilege of speaking the name of Christ across all the world, to declare His divinity and to help people know that His restored gospel is again upon the earth,” Elder Andersen testified, adding “it is your charge and it is my charge.”

Read more about this story here.
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6. After experiencing a devastating earthquake, Sister Dennis testifies of finding peace amid chaos

Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, speaks during a BYU devotional held in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, speaks during a BYU devotional held in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. | Ellie Alder/BYU

During a BYU devotional, Sister Dennis relayed an experience she and her husband, Brother Jorge Dennis, had while serving as mission leaders in the Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission in 2013.

From this experience, Sister Dennis shared the many miracles they witnessed, sharing how the missionaries were able to feel the “angels protecting them, and they felt great peace and God’s love for them in the middle of the extreme shaking, chaos and destruction.”

Read more about this story here.
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7. Christmas messages from the Mexico, Central and Pacific Areas.

Singers and musicians perform during a Light the World Christmas program on Nov. 30, 2024 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
Singers and musicians perform during a Light the World Christmas program on Nov. 30, 2024 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church’s Central America Area presidency released a YouTube video with a Christmas message and an invitation for members to participate in the Light the World initiative.

The Christmas season began for many in Mexico with a Light the World Christmas broadcast which included festive music and inspirational messages. This year’s theme was “Be an Angel in Others’ Lives,” in line with the Light the World theme of “Be Someone’s Angel.

The Pacific Area presidency shared a Christmas message for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their friends living in the islands and countries that make up the area.

Read more about the Central America Area Presidency’s message here.
Read more about the Christmas program in Mexico here.
Read more about the Pacific Area Presidency’s message here.

8. Temple news: Ground broken for the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple, groundbreaking date set for the Cali Colombia Temple and exterior renderings released for Tacloban City Philippines Temple

People break ground for the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple.
Elder Mathias Held, first counselor in the North America Northeast Area presidency and his wife, Sister Irene Held, both at center, are joined by local Church members in breaking ground for the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Mathias Held, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the North America Northeast Area presidency, presided over the the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple groundbreaking.

“We can witness before our eyes how the work is rolling forward, how the Lord is hastening His work at this very special time,” he said.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a Saturday, March 1, 2025, groundbreaking for the Cali Colombia Temple, one of four houses of the Lord dedicated or in planning for the northern South America nation.

An exterior rendering has been released for the Tacloban City Philippines Temple just two weeks after First Presidency announced temple’s Jan. 18 groundbreaking date.

Read more about the ground broken for new Grand Rapids Michigan Temple here.
Read more about the Cali Colombia Temple groundbreaking date here.
Read more about the Tacloban City Philippines Temple exterior rendering here.
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9. Christmas concert at Provo MTC showcases Church music as part of worship

Missionaries and performers sing during the Christmas concert held at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
Missionaries and performers sing during the Christmas concert held at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. | Adam Fondren, for the Deseret News

Hundreds of missionaries in training and their leaders were treated to a concert of Christmas songs at the Provo Missionary Training Center.

A combination of training missionaries and professional singers drew from hymns and the “Strive To Be” and “Songs of Devotion” albums from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Read more about this story here.
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